Carbureter.



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PATE T DFEB.2 19 F. W. BEARDSLBY. N E 08 OARBURETBR.

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PATENTED FEB; 25, 1908. F. W. BEARDSLEY.

GARBURETER.

APPLICATION FILED NOVA, 1902.

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UNITED STATES FRANK W. BEARDSLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARBUBETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Feb. 25, 1908.

Application filed November 4. 1902. Serial No. 130013.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. BEARDSLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, Richmond borough, in the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carbureters, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to improvements in contrivances of that class employed in the generating of gaseous products, and particularly in the generating of gaseous products of substantial density or specific gravity in com parison with air, and whose essential utility resides in their adaptation to power, illuminating and heating purposes, such contrivances being commonly known as "carbureters.

The object of this invention is to provide a carbureter of the character indicated, which shall be simple, inexpensive and novel as regards construction; durable, efficient and reliable in operation; which shall embody features of construction whereby the generated gaseous product may be variably modified as to its density, volatility or carbureted condition; and which shall possess certain well-defined advantages over prior analogous constructions.

The invention consists in the employment of certain parts novel as to form; in the novel disposition and arrangement of the various parts thereof; in certain combinations of the latter and in certain details of construction, all of which will be specifically referred to hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference-numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and as to said drawings:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a gas generator constructed in accordance with my invention, the same, for illustrative purposes, being shown as having a burner conjoined therewith at which the modified, generated gas may be ignited and consumed for illuminating effect. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central, vertical section of the generator proper, the section being taken along the line aa of Fig. 1. V Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line bb of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing certain minor features of the general construction. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken along the line 0 0 of Fig. 2.

In a general sense my invention comprises a generating container in which the gas is primarily generated; a modifying chamber adapted to receive an influx of air 5 means for conducting the generated gas from the generating container to and into the modifying chamber; and means whereby the influx of air to the modifying chamber may be readily varied as to volume and controlled.

It further comprises features of construction whereby the influx of air and the influx of generated gas, each to the modifying chamber, may be relatively varied as to volume and controlled.

In carrying out my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, I employ a generating container 2, of any approved general and cross-sectional contour, and formed from sheet-metal or other suitable material.

As here shown the container 2 is provided at its upper extremity with an opening 2 for venting purposes, when the device is in operation, and at its lower extremity with a discharge opening 2" by way of which the generated gas primarily leaves the container 2.

3 3 denote, respectively, segments of metal-gauze, or analogous medium, the one spanning the opening 2, and the other spanning the opening 2".

The container 2- is filled with a liquidabsorbing material 3", Which may be in the form of regular or irregular porous blocks or pieces, or a fibrous mass; and in practice this liquid-absorbing material is saturated with a'hydro-carbon liquid as gasolene.

The container 2 is provided at its lower extremity with a depending nozzle 4:, controlled by a valve 4, said valve also serving to indirectly control the outlet 2 of container 2; and said container is let into. and supported within, a main casing 4", of greater transverse dimensions than the container 2, thus providing an air space 5 between said container and. the casing 4, the said valve being of any approved construction and essential particularly where it is intended the generated gas shall leave the con tainer 2 by its own gravity.

For determining the position of the container 2 within, and suitably spacing the same from, the casing 4", I purpose to employ a plurality of webs or ribs 5, here shown as fixed to the container 2, at suitable intervals circumferentially thereof, and extending longitudinally therealong. If preferred, the webs or ribs 5 may be secured to the casing 4, interiorly thereof, as will be clearly understood.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the nozzle 4 is formed separate from the container 2; is provided with a vertical, an' nular lip 5", at its upper terminus, and has conjoined therewith, at the inner side of said lip, suitable packing service 6, the latter being directly engaged by the container 2 when the parts are assembled for operation, and the nozzle 4, in turn, being supported in position within the casing 4", as by means of angular brackets 6, arranged. at intervals along the interior wall of the casing 4", said brackets being engaged by the laterally projecting members 6' with which said nozzle is provided.

There is removably attached to the casing 4", at its lower extremity, a depending member which forms with the adjacent portion of the casing 4, a modifying chamber 6", the latter being in communication with a service-pipe 7, whereby the modified gas is conducted from said modifying chamber to the point of consumption, as the burner 7, the latter being of any appropriate and approved construction, and being conjoined with the pipe 7 in any common and well known manner.

Taking the construction as thus far de scribed, it will be seen that the gasor vapor generated within the container 2 may, under proper adjustment of the valve 4 descend or flow by its own gravity from said container to and into the modifying-chamber 6", as by way of the opening 2 and nozzle 4. Further, that air uncontrolled as to volume, may enter the casing 4 at its top, downwardly traverse the space 5, and, the greatest diameter of the'nozzle 4 being less than the diameter of the casing 4., ultimately find its way to and into the modifying chamber 6". Accordingly an air-carburetim or gas-modifying process takes place within the modifying-chamber, the admitted air and gas being carbureted or modified, respectively, the one pro ortionately to the volume of the other, and t 1e density, and consequently the quality, of the resultant modified product is likewise varied.

It will be seen that the gas entering the chamber 6 from the container 2 may be regulated or varied as to volume through the medium of the valve 4; and it-is desirable that means be provided whereby the air entering the chamber 6 may also be regulated or varied as to volume. To this end I provide the casing 4 with a cover 7" having an air-opening 8. Any suitable and approved means may be availed of for fastening the cover 7 to the casing 4", for service, though in this connection I purpose employing opposing bayonet-joints 8, shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3. 4

In connection with the cover 7 I make use of a controller 8", here shown in the general form of a disk, fitting closely to the upper face of the cover 7 and whose axis of movement registers with the axis of said cover. The controller 8" has an air-opening 9, con forming in location radially with respect to the axis of said controller, with the location of the opening 8 radially with respect to the axis of the cover 7 Thus by bringing the openings 8 and 9 variablyinto registry, which may be accomplished by properly manipulating the controller 8", the volume of air admitted to the casing 4", and ultimately to the modifying chamber 6", may be accordingly varied; and also by properly manipulating said controller, said openings may be held out of registry one with respect to the other, so that the material of the controller 8 will close the opening 8 and thereby preclude the entrance of any air to the interior of said casing.

It will be understood that the cover 7 may have a plurality of openings 8, and the controller 8 a like number of openings 9, suitably arranged so as to cooperate respectively, as herein explained; and also that air may be admitted to the chamber 6", and controlled as to volume, at a point other than the top of the casing 4", though-I prefer the construction herein shown and described.

Any suitable means may be employed for movably holding the controller 8 in position for service with respect to the cover 7; though in this connection I have shown a keeper 9, encircling, and brazed, soldered or.

otherwise fastened to, the dome 9 with which the cover 7 is provided, which dome penetrates centrally the controller 8 and rotarily with respect to which the-latter moves in operation, the said keeper serving to movably hold the controller 8 in place at the upper face of the cover 7. 1

For limiting the movement of the control ler 8", where such is desired, rotarily with respect to the dome 9",1 recess the former, as

at 10, Fig. 1, and provide the cover 7 with a fixed pin 10 adapted to be engaged by the controller 8 at the opposite extremities of said recess, and upon said controller being oppositely moved, as will be clearly understood. The controller 8 may be provided with a handle 10, to be grasped by the user in operating said controller.

It will be observed that where the controller 8, or an analogous medium, and the valve 4, or an analogous medium, are availed of for the purpose specified, the admission of air and gas to the chamber 6 may be relatively varied as to volume, one with respect to the other, by properly manipulating said controller and. said valve. This isimportant for the reason that in practice the destiny or specific gravity of the gas or vapor, as generated in the container 2, gradually becomes vitiated as the volume thereof in the container 2 decreases, so that a correspondingly decreased volume of air is required for commingling therewith at the modifying chamber 6"; and the construction herein set forth enables me to determine the density which the resultant product shall have and maintain such density, with substantial uniformity.

The dome 9 has an opening 11 at its top, extends downwardly into the casing 4", and it telescopically entered at its lower portion by the neck 11, with which the container 2 is provided, at the opening 2 therein; and the neck 11 has an opening 11 at its top.

The opening 11 is of lesser diameter than said neck, and the opening 11 is of lesser diameter than the dome 9; so that a bearing or seat for the lower portion of the elastic element 12, here shown as taking the form'of a spiral spring, is provided at the top member of said neck, alongside of the opening 11. and a similar bearing or seat is provided for the upper portion of said elastic element, at the top-member of the dome 9, alongside of the opening 11, the said elastic element being situated within the dome 9", between the top member thereof and the top member of the neck 11, and exerting a downward force on the latter when the cover 7 is locked in position on the casing 4, thereby insuring at all times a snug seating of the container 2 on the packing service 6, irrespective of any wear in the latter and at the same time air for venting purposes may find its way into the container 2 by way of the dome 9 and neck 11.

It is evident that means other than such as herein described may be availed of for seat ing under force the container 2 on the packing service 6, though the element 12, or an analogous medium, is preferred where an elastic seating of said container on said packing service is desired.

The seating of the container 2 under force on the packing service 6, secures a sealed juncture between said container and the nozzle 4, and accordingly obviates the escape of gas at such juncture from the nozzle 4, when the valve 4 is closed.

The depending member hereinbefore referred to as forming with the adjacent portion of the casing 4 the modifying chamber 6, is detachably conjoined with said casing to facilitate the removal of the container 2 and the operation of adjusting for service the valve 4 with respect to the nozzle 4 and cas ing 4, the stem of said valve projecting out wardly through the casing 4 and being provided with a removable finger-piece 12.

In practice the material 3 is thoroughly saturated with a hydro-carbon liquid, such as gasolene, the excess charge of such liquid, beyond that taken up or absorbed by said material, being well ejected or drained from the container 2, whereupon the latter is inserted into the casing 4", and the remaining parts are assembled. for service substantially as hereinbefore explained. Thereupon, the user adjusts valve 4 and controller 8 to permit such simultaneous influx of gas and air to the chamber 6 as may be found proper in order to create in said chamber a gaseous product of a specific gravity or density best suited to his requirements.

lVhile the air admitted to the container 2, by way of its neck 11 and the dome 9", commingles to an extent with the vapor or gas generated in said container, and sufliciently so to appreciably cause a lessening of the specific gravity of the latter gradually as said gas is removed from the container 2, and as hereinbefore referred to, it has been found in practice that such air mainly serves to fill the space vacated by the generated gas as the latter is diminished in volume within the container 2, in the operation of the device, and a serviceable venting action is thereby provided which permits the generated gas to be drawn or otherwise removed from said container. It follows, therefore, that the gas first taken from the container 2 is of greater density, and is consequently richer in carbon, than the gas taken from said container after the same shall have been in operation for a time. This gas of greatest density, if delivered to the burner 7 unmodified or without the commingling therewith of a suitable supply of air, will produce a so-called "glow flame, when ignited at such burner. The glow flame, however, is not as desirable for practical purposes as the well-known Bunsen or blue flame, and this latter flame I obtain and maintain by modifying the dense gas from the container 2, within the chamber 6, substantially as herein set forth. I

Where it is desired that the construction as a whole shall approximate in character a portable illuminating device, the same may be provided with a base 12".

It will further be understood that my improved carbureter proper, may occupy an elevated position in respect to a building and be arranged for operation in connection with a series or system of supply pipes, the latter extending downwardly therefrom and being fitted with a plurality of burners for general illuminating purposes throughout said building, as in common practice.

It will be seen th at my improved carb ureter is particularly well adapted for the purposes for which it is designed, and further that the same may be modified to some extent, par- I ticularly as regards the location of the chamber 6 with respect to the container 2, the point at which air is admitted to the chamber 6", and the means employed for con trolling such admission of air to the chamber 6", without material departure from the spirit and principle of my invention.

Having fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is: Y

1. A carbureter comprising a main casing open at its top, a generating container therein open at its top above the main casing, an air induction space being formed between the casing and the container, a valve controlled outlet from the container, a modifyin chamber in communication with said va lve outlet and with the air space between the container and the casing, means for regulating the supply of air to the said modifying chamber and to the container, and a burner connected to the modifying chamber where by the draft caused by said burner will draw air through the modifying chamber and through the container.

2. A carbureter comprising a main casing; a generating-container let into and supported on a seat within the main casing; and elastic means for holding said container down to its seat, substantially as herein specified.

3. A carbureter com rising a main casing; a generating-container et into and supported on a seat within the main casing a cover for closing said main casing, and elastic means on said cover for holding the container to its seat; substantially as herein specified.

4. A carbureter com rising a main casing a valve-controlled nozz e situated within said casing packing-service on said nozzle; a generating-container on said packing service and communicating with said nozzle and means for removably seating said container on said packing-service under force, substantially as herein specified.

5. A carbureter comprising a main casing a cover 011 said casing, adapted to be temporarily fastened thereto, and having an air inlet-opening; a generating-container let into and supported within the main casing; an elastic element between said cover and said container, and pressing downward on said container when the cover is in position whereby the container is removably seated under force; and means for variably obstructing said air inlet-opening, substantially as herein specified.

6. A carbureter comprising a main casing a cover on said casing and adapted to be temporarily fastened thereto; a generating-container let into and supported within the main casing; a support for the lower end of said. con tainer, and an elastic element between said cover and container, and pressing outward on said container when the container is in position whereby the container may be removably seated under force, substantially as herein specified.

7. A carbureter comprising a main casing; a valve-controlled nozzle supported within said casing; packing-service on said nozzle; a modifying-chamber at said nozzle; a generating-container let into and supported within said casing, the transverse dimensions of said container being less than the transverse dimensions of said casing, whereby an air-space continuous between said casing and container, and communicating with said chamber, is formed in a cover on said casing, adapt ed to be removablyfastened thereto, and provided with an air inlet-opening; a controller for variably obstructing said opening; and an elastic element between said cover and said container, whereby the latter may be removably seated on said packing-service under force, the said container communicating with said nozzle, and the latter communieating with said modifying-chamber, substantially as herein specified.

8. A carbureter comprising a main casing, a removable generating container packed with absorbent material saturated with a liquid hydro-carbon, an air space being formed between said container and said casing, a valve outlet from said container, an

enlarged chamber in communication with said outlet and with the space between the container and the casing, means for regulating the supply of air to said chamber, a burner, means connecting said burner to said chamber whereby the draft caused by said burner will draw air through the container.

9. A carbureter comprising a main casing, a removable container therein packed with absorbent material. saturated with a liquid hydro-carbon, a valve out-let from said container, an enlarged chamber in communication with said valve outlet, means for supplying a regulated quantity of air to said chamber, a burner connected to said chamber in such manner that the draft of said burner will cause vapor to flow from said chamber to the burner.

10. A carbureter comprising a main casing, a cover for the same and a generating container let into and supported on a seat within said casing, the said cover being provided with a tubular dome, the container having a neck fitting within said tubular dome, and a spring between the dome and the neck for forcing the container to its seat in the outer casing, substantially as described.

1 1. Acarbureter comprising a main casing, a generating container let into and supported on a seat within the main casing and of smaller dimensions than saidcasing, an air induction space between the container and the casing, a cover for said casing having air openings, means for controlling the admisand the neck for forcing the container downslon of air through said openlngs, a tubular Ward onto its seat 1n the outer caslng, subextension on said cover having an openlng stantlally as described.

at its top, a neck on the container oonnnuni- FRANK W. BEARDSLEY. eating With the interior thereof, and tele- Witnesses: soopioally engaging with said extension, and W. H. RUBY,

a spring between the top of the extension GEORGIA CARY. 

